Appeal to smoking parents.

Byline: Neil Atkinson ,

`Children at risk in cars'

HEALTH chiefs have issued a holiday plea to Huddersfield parents - don't smoke in your car.

With the busiest traffic weekend of the year approaching, parents are being warned not to light up on long or delayed car journeys home.

During the bank holiday weekend millions of cars will be travelling on the UK's roads - many heading back from the east coast resorts and Yorkshire's moors and dales.

Huddersfield health expert and regional tobacco control manager Patricia Hodgson said: "We are suggesting parents plan their journey carefully with the health of their children in mind.

"In the same way motorists check tyre pressure, oil gauges and stock up on food and water, they would ideally plan for breaks if they need to smoke.

"Many people now use nicotine replacement patches to reduce cravings when flying flights, so why not try them out when travelling by car.

"It could be a creative way of keeping all the family happier and healthier."

Babies and children are much more vulnerable to the effects of tobacco smoke, because their organs are immature and they breathe faster and so take in more of the 4,000 chemicals in smoke.

The result is that children exposed to tobacco smoke are:

* Twice as likely to have asthma attacks and chest infections

* More likely to need hospital care in their first year of life

* More likely to be off sick from school

* More likely to get more coughs, colds and wheezes.

Ms Hodgson said: "Secondhand smoke gets even more concentrated inside a car.

"It is estimated to be 23 times more toxic than smoking in a house because of the much smaller space involved.

"Parents can reduce children's travel sickness and make a positive difference to their health if they avoid smoking when they travel with them."

She added: "Over 17,000 children are admitted to hospital each year due to conditions triggered by second-hand smoke.

"Making your car and your home smoke-free is a very practical way of protecting your children from the dangers of second-hand smoke."

* Local Stop Smoking services offer advice and support to anyone wanting to quit.

They can be contacted by ringing 0800 1690 169.